Writer's note: I added a bit of the lyrics to the song by which this story is entitled, just in case some people didn't know it. I don't own it, blah blah, leave me alone…:-p I'm poor, suing is pointless. XD

Chapter 10

" 'She's got something that moves my soul

And she knows I'd love to love her

But she lets me down every time

Can't make her mine she's no-one's lover

Tonight with me she'll be so inviting

I want her all for myself

Temptation eyes looking through my-my-my soul

Temptation eyes, you got to love me

Got to love me tonight

Her wild-eyed innocence is just a game

But just the same my head is spinnin'

She's got a way to keep me on her side

It's just a ride that's never ending

Tonight with me she'll be so exciting

I want her all for myself

Temptation eyes looking through my-my-my soul

Temptation eyes, you got to love me

Got to love me tonight' "

The lyrics of an old song drifted over the speaker system of the hospital, quiet enough to keep from annoying sleeping patients but loud enough to entertain the staff. Jesi hummed along to the beat as she sat cross-legged in one of the many rows of chairs in the waiting room, Momiji's head in her lap as he slept, his tiny fists holding her hand tightly. She looked down at him and tenderly brushed a few strands of blonde hair out of his face, smiling softly as she thought how much he looked like his mother…his mother.

That's right…your mother rejected you. Like all mothers of a child born with the zodiac, they can either cling to them or leave them. Your mother chose to treat you like a monster and threw you away. It seems so unfair for such a loving little guy like you to be treated like a common disease that can just be erased from someone's life. Some people just think you're a clingy and annoying little brat but I understand…I understand what it's like to be unloved, for your parents to neglect you…no one should have to live with that, especially someone with so much to give like you.

"I see the runt got tired, did he even put up a fight?" Haru walked in, back to his usual calm self and looking worn out both physically and mentally.

"Oh, they let you out already? It's only been an hour!" Jesi said, snapping out of her deep thought and looking up at the white and black haired young man towering over her. He sat to her right, opposite the sleeping German Japanese, and sighed heavily.

"I guess I was the least injured, which is kind of depressing that Yuki and Kyou needed more help than I did." Haru took this as an insult, since the three of them were always competing to see who was the strongest of them all.

"First down, first up?" Jesi giggled, looking down at Momiji again and stroking his hair gently. Haru stared at her for a moment before saying, "Can I ask you something?"

"Huh? Oh…I suppose." Jesi said, her heart beating nervously.

"Do you…hate us?" Haru cocked his head to the side to look at her face.

"Us? Us who?" She looked up and blinked in confusion.

"Sohmas…"

"Oh no! At least…not all of you." She averted her eyes and stared across the room sadly.

"Who do you hate? Me?"

"No! I mean…not especially…"

"So you do hate me."

"I said no!" She frowned at him and said, "It's just…I don't like anyone who forces me to do something for them. That's why I felt so bad when I realized what I did to Hatori-kun…"

"But, I remember seeing you go to him so often."

"Yes but…he refused my services."

"Really? Why?" Haru cocked an eyebrow.

"I'm not really sure but he did enjoy my company, we spoke about things and shared stories."

"So you basically just…talked?"

"Yeah, and he was happy with that and never asked for more."

"Wow…so was he the only one who didn't…you know…use you?"

"Yes. And of course the ones too young to know like Yuki, Kyou, Momiji, Hiro, Ritsu…"

"I don't think Hiro would want you anyway, he'd probably just ridicule you the entire time. And Ritsu would be apologizing the entire time." Jesi burst out laughing at the thought of it and a nurse walking by shushed her. Stifling her laughter with her hand, she giggled, "I think I would have laughed too much!"

"So you pleasured Ayame?"

"Uh…sort of…" She snickered again and said, "He wasn't interested in making love so instead, I modeled his dresses and helped him fit things for his customers." Now Haru laughed, saying, "I should have known…"

"Yeah, Ayame's an interesting person, I haven't met too many guys who make dresses for men." Jesi chuckled, her face turning red from the laughter.

"Yeah…" They sat in silence for a while before Haru asked, "What's your opinion of Akito? Have you met him?"

"Him? What are you talking about, Akito's not a man…"

"I know he's a little overly emotional sometimes but I wouldn't-"

"No, I mean-oh, nevermind." She sighed, saying, "I don't like Akito, if that's what you were asking. I loathe 'him' with all my being for how you've all been treated. You're as much slaves to Akito's bidding as I am, if not worse at times…"

"I see…so is that why you seem so fond of Yuki, because you relate to him?"

"I…I suppose…" She looked away and whispered, "I've felt a connection with him ever since we were children."

"I know the feeling, I love him too."

"Yes, I know…" Haru raised his eyebrows and said, "Not much gets past you, does it?"

"Not really, no." She chuckled and said, "Though…I'm beginning to think my affection for him is the same as yours…if you understand what I mean…"

"Yes…" Haru mused for a moment before saying, "Hey, I think the others are probably ready to be seen. Do you wanna go check on them? I can watch the kid."

"Oh, um…" She looked down at Momiji and Haru got up, lifting the little blonde head out of Jesi's lap. Jesi got up and Haru took her place, saying, "I'm sure he'll be happy to see you…"

"He?" Jesi blinked and Haru smiled. Shyly, she ducked her head and went off into the hallway to find out where everyone was.

"Just down the hall, room 205." The receptionist said cheerfully, going back to her work on the computer.

"Thank you." Jesi bowed and went to the room, peeking in the doorway and whispering, "Hello, you awake in there?" The body stirred and she smiled shyly, walking into the room and closing the door.

((((((((( '--' )))))))))

"Well, Hatori's going to take me and Momiji home. Do you guys think you can make it back on your own?" Haru said to Jesi, Kyou, and Yuki as they stood around in the hallway. It was evening now and all had recovered enough to check out, except Yuki was stuck in a wheelchair for the time being.

"Yeah sure, see ya later." Kyou waved them off and started for the door, indignantly itching at the sling his broken arm was in.

"I am dreadfully sorry about all of this." Jesi muttered, nervously gripping the handles of Yuki's wheelchair.

"Hey, we told you we wanted to do it, you can't apologize if it was our choice." Haru said, eyeing Hatori who had been quiet ever since being discharged.

"Exactly! We're friends, after all…aren't we?" Momiji blinked hopefully.

"F-friends? You…you want to be…friends?" Jesi looked surprised, almost bewildered.

"Of course! I think you're wonderful, like Tohru! We should all play over at my father's building some day; would you come?"

"O-of course! I'd be honored!" Jesi blushed, "I've…never had friends…before…"

"Seriously?" Haru asked, a little amazed.

"Well, my parents kept me indoors most of the time if I wasn't working or taking classes." She glanced down the hall and saw Kyou looking impatient, tapping his foot and itching at his sling, "W-we had better go, Kyou's looking restless."

"Of course. I'll see you at school?" Momiji took her hand and stared into her eyes with his.

"Yes, yes, of course. Well, until then: Momiji, Haru…Hatori…" She bowed nervously and turned to push Yuki toward the doorway and where Kyou was still waiting.

"Goodbye…Hikaru-san." Hatori muttered, not looking up from the floor. With one saddened glance back, Jesi toiled onward, thinking to herself, He must hate me so much now…what was I thinking, nothing good ever comes of such things. Mother was right…

As the three teenagers walked down the sidewalk together, Kyou glanced over at Jesi and saw how miserable she looked. Frowning, he asked quietly, "Jesi, what's wrong? You don't still feel bad about what happened, do you? Cause it's not your fault, we wanted to-"

"No…it's…it's not that." She replied quickly, looking away. Kyou wondered if he should inquire further into the matter but shrugged and went on in silence.